Buddhism Quick Facts

Meaning of name "Buddhism":

System taught by the Buddha

Date founded:

c. 520 BCE

Place founded:

Northeastern India

Founder:

Siddharta Gautama ("the Buddha"), an Indian prince

Adherents:

360 million

Size rank:

Fourth largest world religion

Main locations:

China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia

Major divisions:

Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana

Sacred texts:

Pali Canon (Tripitaka), numerous Mahayana sutras

Original language:

Pali

Spiritual leader:

Monk (lama in Tibetan Buddhism)

Place of ritual:

Temple, meditation hall.

Theism:

Varies: Theravada is atheistic; Mahayana is more polytheistic.

Ultimate reality:

None. Nothing is permanent.

Human nature:

There is no self or soul. Human existence is nothing more than a combination of five impermanent components (khandas).

Purpose of life:

Theravada - Become an arhat, escape the cycle of rebirth, and attain nirvana. Mahayana - Become a boddhisatva then help others attain enlightenment.

Afterlife:

Rebirth or nirvana. Nirvana is seen simply as the cessation of suffering by some and as a heavenly paradise by others.

Holidays:

Vary by region, but often include Buddha's birthday, Buddha's enlightenment, lunar quarters

Three Jewels/Three Refuges:

1. The Buddha
2. The sangha (monastic community)
3. The dharma (truth or teachings)

Three Delusions:

1. Ignorance
2. Desire
3. Anger or hatred

Three Trainings:

1. Moral discipline
2. Concentration
3. Wisdom

Three Marks of Existence:

1. Impermanence (anicca)
2. Unsatisfactoriness (dukkha)
3. No-self (anatta)

Four Noble Truths:

1. All of life is marked by suffering.
2. Suffering is caused by desire and attachment.
3. Suffering can be eliminated.
4. Suffering is eliminated by following the Noble Eightfold Path.

Four Immeasurables or Sublime States:

1. Equanimity (upekkha)
2. Loving-kindness (metta)
3. Compassion (karuna)
4. Sympathetic joy (mudita)

Four Reminders:

1. Human life is precious.
2. Death is inevitable.
3. The laws of karma cannot be avoided.
4. Suffering permeates all existence.

Four Bodhisattva Vows:

1. I vow to rescue the boundless living beings from suffering.
2. I vow to put an end to the infinite afflictions of living beings.
3. I vow to learn the measureless Dharma-doors.
4. I vow to realise the unsurpassed path of the Buddha.

Five Precepts:

1. Do not kill.
2. Do not steal.
3. Do not engage in sexual misconduct.
4. Do not lie.
5. Do not use intoxicants.

Five Powers:

1. Faith and confidence
2. Energy and effort
3. Mindfulness
4. Samadhi
5. Wisdom

Five Hindrances:

1. Sense craving
2. Anger or ill will
3. Sloth and torpor
4. Restlessness and worry
5. Doubt and the inner critic

Five Dhyani (Wisdom) Buddhas:

Vairochana
Akshobhya
Ratnasambhava>
Amoghasiddhi

Six Perfections:

1. Concentration
2. Effort
3. Ethical behavior
4. Generosity
5. Patience
6. Wisdom

Six Realms of Existence:

1. Hell-beings
2. Hungry ghosts
3. Animals
4. Humans
5. Anti-gods or demigods
6. Gods

Noble Eightfold Path:

1. Right beliefs
2. Right aspirations
3. Right speech
4. Right conduct
5. Right livelihood
6. Right effort
7. Right mindfulness
8. Right meditational attainment